Boss Steve Cooper pointed to the character and composure of his Nottingham Forest players as they secured a big 2-0 win at fellow promotion-chasers Blackburn Rovers.
But he played down the importance of moving into the play-off spots for the first time this season as the Reds climbed to sixth.
A coolly-taken James Garner strike and a Brennan Johnson penalty clinched three points for the visitors at Ewood Park.